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Officers' joke turns painful
Saginaw News (Michigan) ^ | 3/7/06 | CHAD LIVENGOOD

Posted on 03/10/2006 8:57:31 AM PST by kiriath_jearim

Officers' joke turns painful

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

CHAD LIVENGOOD THE SAGINAW NEWS

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Officer David VanDyke likely will never again hand a fellow policeman his revolver and utter the words "shoot me."

Superiors disciplined VanDyke and Officer Ronald Langworthy after an investigation of a Feb. 21 incident in which VanDyke "jokingly" handed Langworthy his gun and asked him to pull the trigger.

Thinking the gun wasn't loaded, Langworthy shot VanDyke in the foot.

Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick decided not to file criminal charges after state police concurred with an internal probe.

"The filing of any criminal charges would be inappropriate and unsustainable," Burdick said. "VanDyke blamed the incident on himself."

VanDyke remains on light duty as he recovers.

Both officers, who have a combined 29 years of service, apparently forgot "some of the rules to gun safety, such as, never give someone a loaded gun, and always assume a gun is loaded," Burdick said.

When Langworthy discharged the gun, he believed it would shoot "blank" or "simunition," officials said.

"I did issue disciplinary action to both of the officers," said Police Chief Bill Yeagley. "Both officers are extremely remorseful for the accident."

Yeagley declined to specify the punishment.

The incident took place in the department's squad room.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: banglist; darwincandidate; donutwatch
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1 posted on 03/10/2006 8:57:33 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
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To: kiriath_jearim

Hold muh beer...


2 posted on 03/10/2006 8:58:35 AM PST by Horatio Gates (Do I seem jaded?)
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To: Dan from Michigan

Mayberry moves to Michigan ping


3 posted on 03/10/2006 8:58:59 AM PST by Yo-Yo (USAF, TAC, 12th AF, 366 TFW, 366 MG, 366 CRS, Mtn Home AFB, 1978-81)
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To: kiriath_jearim

This is a tough one. Which cop is more embarrassed?


4 posted on 03/10/2006 8:59:34 AM PST by Tallguy (When it's a bet between reality and delusion, bet on reality -- Mark Steyn)
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To: kiriath_jearim


"Stupid is as stupid does...that's what my Momma used to say."
5 posted on 03/10/2006 9:00:54 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (Darwinism is a belief in the meaninglessness of existence - R. Kirk)
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To: kiriath_jearim; All

As "Forest Gore" says



STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES!

Yhey may need a refresher course in firearms handling...


6 posted on 03/10/2006 9:02:08 AM PST by TMSuchman (2nd Generation U.S. MARINE, 3rd Generation American & PROUD OF IT!)
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To: Horatio Gates

Super Troopers.


7 posted on 03/10/2006 9:02:11 AM PST by farlander (Strategery - sure beats liberalism!)
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To: kiriath_jearim

See kids, morons shouldn't be given weapons.


I love it when stupidity hurts.


8 posted on 03/10/2006 9:02:34 AM PST by trubluolyguy (Islam, Religion of Peace and they'll kill you to prove it.)
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To: kiriath_jearim

I'm just doin' my job, I'm the Highway Patrol!


9 posted on 03/10/2006 9:02:54 AM PST by 308MBR ("Ah fell in ta a bhurnin' ring o' far")
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To: farlander
Super Troopers

Part 2

I read about this at officer.com a few days ago. I'm surprised this is the first I've seen it here. Just shameful

10 posted on 03/10/2006 9:05:05 AM PST by Horatio Gates (Do I seem jaded?)
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To: kiriath_jearim

Only the police are properly trained to carry guns according to the moonbats @ HCI.


11 posted on 03/10/2006 9:05:22 AM PST by beltfed308 (Cloth or link. Happiness is a perfect trunnion.)
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To: kiriath_jearim

Another Officer Dumbass story. I wonder why Langworthy still has his job?


12 posted on 03/10/2006 9:06:55 AM PST by Cyber Liberty (© 2006, Ravin' Lunatic since 4/98)
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To: Eaker

ping


13 posted on 03/10/2006 9:07:09 AM PST by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: kiriath_jearim


Don't they teach police to treat all guns as if they are loaded?


14 posted on 03/10/2006 9:10:12 AM PST by msnimje (SAMMY for SANDY --- THAT IS WHAT I CALL A GOOD TRADE!!!)
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To: kiriath_jearim

When I was in the service, a watchstander pointed an empty weapon at me and pulled the trigger. I can still feel the chill I felt as I realized what he had done.

This watch facility is manned 24/7 with armed personnel going in and out. Over the years several weapons mishaps/near mishaps ocurred such as firing a round into the floor, a petty officer picking up a loaded shotgun (left unattended), cocking it and almost taking out the communications console, etc.

Weapons safety should be practiced at all times by all users. Even when it is enforced as it is in the military (weapons clearing zones, ammo accounting, safety rules, there will be mishaps. Playing with a weapon is never wise, and should never be allowed.


15 posted on 03/10/2006 9:13:42 AM PST by The_Media_never_lie
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To: All

I don't get it. Where's the funny part? Dumba$$es! Like those morons who set all those churches on fire - as a joke. I don't get that either. Where's the "joke"??? A joke usually has a punchline, yes? The "humor" these days . . .


16 posted on 03/10/2006 9:22:19 AM PST by jackibutterfly (.)
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To: kiriath_jearim
"The filing of any criminal charges would be inappropriate and unsustainable," Burdick said. "VanDyke blamed the incident on himself."

Once again LEO's get a pass on behavior that would have rest of us behind bars.

17 posted on 03/10/2006 9:23:49 AM PST by Looking4Truth (We in the U.S. know the rest of the world is nearly useless and we're sick of carrying their asses!)
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To: Horatio Gates

Unbelievable.


18 posted on 03/10/2006 9:25:18 AM PST by Eaker (My Wife Rocks! - There's no problem on the inside of a person that the outside of a dog can't cure.)
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To: kiriath_jearim

Chief Wiggam, meet Officer Barbrady.


19 posted on 03/10/2006 9:26:12 AM PST by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: kiriath_jearim

This sounds like something out of a Quentin Tarantino film!


20 posted on 03/10/2006 9:31:19 AM PST by manwiththehands
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